Machine for sealing metal boxes or cans.



1. c. BOWERS, E. E. BARBER & A. n. GROVER.

MACHINE FOR SEALING METAL BOXES 0R CANS.

APPLlCATlON HLED APR. \5. \911.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Jof m/ afiowers, Earl E. Ziarben (i1 U. GBOVER. METAL 80x53 0R CANS.

. BARBER i, 1 BOWERS, E

MACHiNE FOR SEAUNG \PPUCATSON HLED APR. 15- 19H.

Patented Apr. 20, 191.5

8 SHEETS-$31113! 2,

W! TNE 55E:

J. C. BOWERS, E. E. BARBER & A. D. GROVER.

FOR SEALING METAL BOXES 0R CAN APPUCAHON r1150 APR. 15. 1911.

MACHiNE Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHBET 3.

INVENTUREJ- John/ L Bowers Em 213mm;

WITNESSES. 6 93111113 y j 7 I (Elbert D. Grover. 7MP

J. G. WWERS, El E1 BARBER & A D, SHOWER. MACHENE FOR SEALING METAL BOXES 0R ems APPLKCATION HLED APR.1S,1HL {$365401 Patented Ap1.20, 1915. l B SKEETS SHEBT 4.

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\A/NNEEEEEEE 1.0. BOWERS, E. E. BARBER 81 A. D. GROVER.

MACHINE FOR SEALING METAL BOXES 0R CANS. APPLICATION FILED APR-15,1911.

1,136,401 Patented Apr. 20, 1915 T 5 9 4- 8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

' m T 1 F" 1 l. C. BOWERS, E. E. BARBER & A. D. GROVER. MACHINE FOR SEALING METAL BOXES OR CANS.

APPlCATlON FILED APR. 15,4911.

1,136,401 Patented A r. 20, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

\A/ITNEESES Jbhn 0.2901006,

r ZZ A FaTZE. Barbcr1 W a 1 a2 uqlberffl Graven INVENTQ E- GROVILR.

l. C. BOWERS, E. E. BARBER & A. D

0R CANS.

MACHINE FOR SEALING METAL BOXES APPLICATION HLED APR.15.191\.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

F i g 25- B SHEETS-SHEET 7.

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WITNESSES. //\/\/EI/ ITUR5- 99. 6. John (I. Bower-9, 7 J ll'ar'l Barber 7 filbeytfl Grover, Wfi

J. C. BOWERS, E. E. B.f\RBER & A. D. GROVER.

MACHINE FOR SEALING METAL BOXES 0R CANS.

APPUCATION FILED APR-15,1911.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 8.

Fig. 21.

UNITED STA S PATENT cr mes.

JOHN C. BOWERS AlvlD EARL E. BARBER, OF BOSTON, AND ALBERT I). GROVER, 0'5

MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO ARTHUR H. PARKER, OF BED? MASSACHUSETTS, AND WILLIAM H. EMERSON, 0F NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR SEALING METAL BOXES OR CANS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A pr. 20, 1915.

Application filed April 15, 1911. Serial No. 621.360.

To all whom it :may concern:

lie it known that We, JOHN C. Bownns and l lxiin. E. BARBER, both of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, and ALBERT D. (iiiovna, of Malden, in the county of Middlesex, in said State, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Sealing Metal Boxes or Cans, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the sealing of metal boxes or cans and as described is applied to the sealing of boxes of the shape generally used for packing sardines. Such boxes must be hermetically sealed and heretofore they have been. usually scaled by a process which includes the use of solder either in attaching the cover and box together or in the application of a sealing strip by which the joint between the cover and the box is closed. The United States patent to John C. Bowers, No. 867,239, dated October 1, 1907, describes and shows it hermetically-sealed receptacle'or can which has a dished cover, the dishing of which fits the interior of the box and the edge of which forms a flange adapted to register with the flange of the box, the whole being scaled by a strip of metal U-shaped in cross section by means 01 which-the flanges of the box and cover aieclampcd together. The machine hereinafter described is especially adapted for sealing such a receptacle, and for this purpose it cuts and forms a metallic strip .and applies it to the flanges of av box and cover of the character referred to with siillicient pressure to form a licrinetically-tight joint of the character specified in the said patent.

\Vhile we have shown and described here inafter the best form oi our invention now known to us, certain changes in detail will undoubtedly occur to one skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spiritof our invention. have shown our invention especially adapted to seal a box of oblong shape, but it will be seen that by changing the shape of the formers or work-holders by which the box is held the machine can equally well he used for, applying the strip to so hermetically seal a round, oval or other shaped box.

Min-cover, we

Our invention will he understood by reference to the drawings iii which is shown a practical enibodiimmt thereof and which comprises a work-holder adapted to present the work, whatever its shape, to the scaling rolls by means oi \\'lil(ll the stripis caused to seal the edges oi" the box and cover, and

means for forming the strip which is to form the seal and cut it in proper lengths as needed, and also lor feeding the strip, all these being shown in their preferred form .and with the piiel'errml form of mechanism by which each is caused to perform its lunctiOn.

Figure l is a plan oi such a machine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. bias. 8 and 3" are details showing cams and their levers described below. Fig. l is an enlarged scction on line i l. of Fig. i534. 5 is an enlarged view oi the scaling rolls in action, Fig. 5 being a magnified detail showing the sealing operation. Fig. (i is a section on line 6-li of Fig". i. Fig. (3 is av section on line (F 3" oi i' ig. i. Fig. (3" is an elevation shoeing;- the sha 'ie oi the cut giv n the iiig strip by the cutting tool. Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan oi the strip guides. big. S is a section on line 8*8 ol Fig. i. is an enlarged section on line $l--4l ol Fig. L Fig. 1 is a. cross: section on line l0-10 oi l fl. l i 11 is a plan oi the stripd] l in}; mechanism. Figs. 12, J3 and H are art.- tions on lines l2--l2, El- E3 and llll. rcspcctively, oi Fig. ll. hip. 15 is a. plan of the forming rolls. Figs. ll 17, i3 and ii) are sections on lines 1040. l7-l 7. IS -'18 and IL -J5), respectively, of Fig. lb. l ig. 20 shows a ii'iodilication in which power applied to both the lowerformer as well as to the upper former, will be described be low, and Fig. 21 is a rear view thereof to show the powcr-transmitting arrangement.

A is a table on which are mounted the various operating parts.

' B is the power shaft mounted in bearings upon a bracket A bolted tothc table, and O is the main shaft mounted in bearings a also 'supportedon the table A. The power shaft B carries a pulley B to receive a belt and it also carries a. pinion B which Fig. 5)

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meshes with a gear C on the main shaft C. A clutch mechanism indicated at C connects the gear C with the main shaft C, C being a rod forming a part thereof. Such a mechanism operated by a treadle is a well known element of machines and as it forms no part of this invention, need not' be other wise described than to say that when the treadle is depressed the clutch is thrown in and the machine operates, the clutch mechanism being released automatically.

At one end of the table is mounted a head A which for convenience is made in two parts bolted. together by bolts A". It carries bearings for the sealing roll shafts and also supports the gear by which the sealing rolls and the work-holder or former are operated.

The main shaft G carries an intermittent gear D by which an intermittent movement is given to the workholder mechanism, the crank arm E by which the stripfeeding and forming mechanisms are operatcd, a cam F by which the strip-cutting mechanism is operated and the upper sealiug roll is lifted to insert and release the work, and a cam ll by means of which the upper member of the work-holder is lifted for the insertion and release of the box and its cover.

The gear I) is mutilated for substantially half its periphery. Its teeth mesh with an intern'iittent gear I) also mutilated as at d to ride upon and be locked by the mutilated surface d of the gear I). The gear D is mounted to turn on a stud D supported on a bracket or other support 03 attached to the table A. ()n the stud I) is also mounted a gear I) in mesh with a pinion D on a stud D fixed in the head A The pinion D is pinned to an intermediate gear I) also mounted on the stud 1) so that the pinion and gear turn together. The intermediate gear I)" is located between and in mesh with gears D, D.

The gear D is mounted on one end of the shaft J which runs in bearings j in the head A The other end of the shaft J carries the lower sealing roll L. The shaft J also carries a pinion J which meshes with a pinion K on the shaft IQ This shaft K carries at one end the upper ling roll L which is located to cooperate ,[ith the lower sealing roll L. The shaft K is. supported to rotate in a rocking bearing K which is pivoted at k in the head so as to allow its free end a slight vertical movement sufficient to allow the upper sealing roll to separate from the lower scaling roll to insert the work, as below described. 7

The periphery of the working edge of the sealing roll L is smooth to act as a pressure table upon which the work lies, theperiphery of the upper sealing roll bein shaped to give the necessary pressure to sea in place when it to the head A and the strip in the closing of the can. This will be understood is the receptacle, M being the cover. The flange of the receptacle is lettered m and the flange of the cover an, the strip being lettered P. Preferably the flange of the cover is turned back on itself as shown at mthus forming a shoulder, and the upper sealing roll L has two diameters forming two surfaces, one the surface Z which in the action of the tool runs upon the strip P pressing it and the turned-over edge of the cover as well as the flange of the cover itself against the flangeof the receptacle or box and the other Z of larger diameter which turns the edge of the strip over the shoulder formed by the turned over portion m of the flange and also the remainder of the strip against the flange, thus" completely sealing the can, For this purpose very heavy pressure is required, say of several hundred pounds, and in the form of our invention shown to secure this heavy pressure We provide a spring K located in a cavity K in the head A". The lower end of the spring K rests upon the rocking bearing K of the upper sealing roll shaft and is brought forward as near to the upper sealing roll as is 1u-acticable; The upper end of the spring K receives a follower K on which rests an adjusting screw K which passes up through a threaded opening in the head, its head being pierced so that the screw may be easily turned by a pin to adjust the position of the follower K within the cavity and so adjust the strength a check nut K is provided to hold the screw has been properly adjusted. The intermediate gear I) is also in mesh with a gear 1) on one end of the shaft Q which also runs in the head A At its, further end this shaft Q carries a bevel gear Q which meshes with a bevel gear Q on a vertical shaft Q supported at its upper end in an arm A forming a part of or attached supported against gravity by the hub of the bevel gear Q} which rests on the top of a bearing'forming a part of the head'A At its lower end the shaft Q} carries a pinion Q} which meshes with the gear teeth 1' on the periphery of the upper member R of the worlehelder.

The work-holder as shown comprises two members, an upper member which carries the gear teeth r above referred to and by from Figs. 5 and 5 where M A of the spring K and which. the work-holder is rotated, and'aagainst which the upper as the upper member of the work-holder is i rotated positively. The machine u s shown shown on T and i and V to support; the various shafts in the table. the enlargements on shafts T and U bein shown at T and U and the enlargement on shaft V being identical with those Above these pinions and enlargements are mounted ratchets t, u and w hich are engaged by pawls If, uand W moontelfl in pairs on the under side of feed rolls 15 and forming rolls a and 1), this arrang ment being such that when the rack is moved in the direction of the arrow (see Figs. l, 1] and 15) the rolls will all be m ved by the pawls in a direction to feed and form the strip, but when the rack reverses its movement the rolls will be stationary. The strip -P in the first instance is pushed y hand between guide rolls w, 10 mounted on guides W, \V, and passes a holding pawl w carried by one of the guides \Y and between the feed rolls and 20, w. The holding pawl w is merely apawl with a roughened eilge to engage the strip and pivoted within a suitable cavity in one of the guides W. the roughened edge of the pawl being held against the strip by the spring 'IIJ" so as to prevent the strip from springing bark or being drawn out accidcntaliy from between the guides. shown the guides \V, \l'. are mounted on a plate X bolted to the table A.

l n order to adjust the width or space between the feed rolls 6 so that the rolls may be SPPtll'ilbUll to receive the end of the strip when the strip is first introduced into the machine and also so that they may bear upon the strip with suilicient tension to feed it properly, we preferably mount the upper ends of the shafts T, T in av crossbar T which is provided with an opening to receive the upper end of the shaft T and also is slotted to receive a slide piece T one end of which forms with a correspondingcurved surface 01 said slot a earing for the upper end of the shaft T. The slide piece T has a flange T hieh cooperates with a plate T secured thereto (see Fig. H) to hold the slide piece in place. A continuation T" of the crossbar T forms a support for a spiral spring' T which is compressed between a collar T b aring on the flange T and plate T and a. collar and nut T' on the end of the part T The spring thus adjusts the slide piece T against the end of the shaft and by loosening the tension of the spring T the shalt allowed to spring slightly out of \ertiral position thus separating the rolls sullieiently to enable the end of the strip to be pushed betwee' them. For this purposithe opening in the tab e A to receive the shaft T is of sullicient size with relation to the diameter of the shaft T where it bears upon the said opening, to allow it the slight vertical movement required.

'lhere are two sets of forming rolls 1/, u and ar o The peripheries of the rolls u u are shaped to give to the strip a preliminary bend on a line slightly below its middle for the reason that the upper portion of the finished strip has more surface to cover in sealing the cover and box to gether than the lower portion. For the purpose of giving the strip its proper shape one of the rolls 1/? has a projecting surface and the other a retreating surface forming rotary dies between which the strip is drawn and by which it is given its preliminary bend. The shape of these surfaces will be understood by reference toFig. 16. The

rolls 71 e have complementary surfaces which are shaped to complete the forming of the strip-as will be seen from Fig. 18. Between the pairs of rolls u and 11 are guides W W as shown in cross section in Fig. 17, and beyond the rolls e are guides 7 W, \V shown in cross section in Fig. 19, one of which lV is for convenience made shorter than the other \V the latter extending substantially to the point Where the strip engages the box. The guide has a roll w adjustable therein and formingpart of the surface which guides the outer or peripheral edge of the strip and serves by its frictional contact with the said edge of the strip to straighten the strip. A pawl w, similar in construction to the way below described.

The strip is cut to proper length by the action of a punch G and die G the punch being operated bya cam lever G mounted table A, the upper end of the bell crank lever (ll lying in a slot in the punch carria e G. This carriage is mounted on a block (I mounted on the edge of the table A, the block having ways and a top plate G 'forming a passage in which the carriage slides. The punch G is mounted in a slot in the carriage (1 and is held in place therein by a set screw 9. Opposite the carriage is a stationary plate (1? having adie Gr suitably secured thereto against one edge of which the punch (1 acts and a downward passage y through which the metal cut off by the die will fall out of the cutting mechanism. The cutting edges of the punch G are shaped as shown in Fig. (3 and the punch is adapted not only to sever the strip but to cut from its rear end a short section so as to leave a tongue ,2) (see Fig. 6") which performs no part of the sealing function, but acts as a tab by means of which the strip may be pulled olt' in opening the box. To

operate this cutting mechanism the cam lever,

(l carries a projection g which is engaged at the proper time by a roll 9 on the side pawl w,- prevents the strip from Withdrawal in the in i i m vmzimtimu. 1

n h mt m Wil i051 zit 'nl atv tiziother via-l it march 32; mind I in W iiiv sci su'mx' s and Purim the 1H1 is" 'im': by

iniu :1 bearing s mi the mm M within? in iia bracket 5', this llfl'iih'ii ifiili iummi! m uiiumcler a it Hui iliftiilf l :1! pinuu {ilv iiwi pin-Lion u? the sin];

Mu: WU: mi. :iiiwd nhm'v (he itripfmrding and I npmiitimi s intminittont. 1); Hm mon-nwnli m" the IIHii in :1 iiirwrmn in Hm right (Rm; I ig'. After H: iing 01w Mimi the siz' p i Hi I Eng i' iiF- zaiw'i drawn by the i:-' (hiring Hiv F! work-holder separate and the work is ejected. The operation is then repeated. The modilication operates in the same ay.

What we claim as our invention is c-- 1. A b0Xsealing machine comprising a rotary work-holder, a strip-feeding mechanism, a strip-forming mechanism, a strip straightening mechanism, and sealing rolls adapted to seal the strip upon the work.

2. A box-sealing machine comprising a rotary work-holder, a strip-feeding mechanism, sealing rolls adapted to seal the strip upon the work, and a guide adapted to hold the strip against the work during the sealing operation, said parts during the scaling operation occupying relatively fixed positions in the machine.

3. In a box-sealing machine, a workholder comprising two members adapted to clamp a box and its cover between them one of said members having gear teeth about its periphery, means for rotating said worlo holder con'iprising a shaft *arrying a gear having eloi'igated teeth in mesh pith the teeth on said work-holding member, and means for automatically separating the said gear carrying member from the other member of said work holder to discharge the finished work and releasing it to clamp a fresh piece of worlt, in combination with means for applying the strip to the work while in said Work-holder and means for ejecting the work after said strip has been applied and the members of said work holder have been separated.

'-'l. In a box-sealing machine, two sealing rolls, a w0rk-h0lder comprising two members and a guide adapted to hold a strip under said sealing rolls and against the work during the sealing operation, and means for separating the members of said work-holder, and means for separating said sealing rolls, said guide being adapted to eject the work when said worleholder members and said sealing rolls have separated.

In a box-sealing niachine, sealing rolls and means for feeding a sealing strip thereto comprising teed rolls, forming rolls and means for giving them an interm ttent m vement, and guides located to guide aid strip from the forming roll to the wo k, one of said guides having a straightcning roll, as desra'ibed.

P. In a box sealing machine. a str p i"; 7 ing me hanism comprising two shal'ls. a roll mounted on each shaft, the peripheries of said rolls being oppositely disposed to form a passage for the strip to be led. and means for regulating the pressure of said rolls upon the strip comprising a cross piece having a bearing for one end of one of said shafts and a section of a bearing for the corresponding end of the other shaft. a slide. piece completing the bearing of said last named shaft and adjustable yielding means first named teeth, and means located to bear upon. the interior of said. rec to hold the teeth on said rec .d member and power member in mesh. .id recessed member be ing movable toward and from. the other member to clamp and release the Work and said part being constructed and arranged 50 to permit said movement without disturbing said driving eonnectioi'is.

8. In a box sealing machine, a work holder comprising two men'ibers, one oi said members being recessed, and driving and guiding connections for said work holder compising teeth on said recessed member, a pone] ll'ltil'lilm' having teelii on; :ging said lirst nam d teeth, and of greater length than said first named tccth, means located to bear upon the interior of said recess to h ld the teeth on said recessed member and power member in mesh, said means being of less length than thc d pth of said r cess, and means 'l'or moving Paid reces ed member t ward and from the other member to clamp and release the work.

9. In a box sealin machine, in combina tion with a strip feeding and attaching mechanism, a work holder having a rotary movement. means for rotating it, and joint-- ed means for supporting said Work holder whereby the axis of rotation thereof may be shifted and the edge of the work in its rota tion be continuously presented to the attacli- 105 ing mechanism irrespective of the shape of said edge.

10. A box sealing machine comprising means for clamping and feeding the work, a strip feeding mechanisi'n, a strip forming mechanism, amlsealing rolls adapted to seal the strip upon the i orlt and a wing c ntrollcd gluide located to hold i i t i? oiled upon H lls zif ll ii-ltiizt'il o fli' i? separati n of (he clamoir ll. to; scaling mar rotary ox-la holder: a 1p ceding mochaillf't i, 1-. forming woe-char sealing rolls :nlnpt d to scol the strip upon the u'orlr. and a gui'ic a apt d to hold the strip against the work during the sealing operation, :l guide comprising a lever carrying a guide iincc'i at one end thcreot' and means for holding said guide wheel a vinst Sar /it work.

A. box sealing machine comprising a rotary work holder, a strip fer ung' n1echanism, a strip forming mechanism. sealing rolls adapted to seal the strip upon the work,

.lOO

and 2L gu'idw min}? iiu ma timngninst the (ink Liming" the Smiling; opmw Linn said gmidu 'm1pi"i iug a Nun cm'qvllxgi a guide Mme. at we uni iimim'i' [Hh zm- 11km v51?! some to ejeyt the work as de- HR i bfil. 7

JUHN C. IKTWERS. EARL I). BARBER ALBERT I). GROVER. 

